Antilithic effects of extracts from Urtica dentata hand on calcium oxalate urinary stones in rats

Abstract

This study examined the potential antilithic effects of a traditional Chinese medicine Urtica dentata Hand (UDH) in experimental rats and screened the optimal extract of UDH as a possible therapeutic agent for kidney stones. The rat model of urinary calcium oxalate stones was induced by intragastric (i.g.) administration of 2 mL of 1.25% ethylene glycol (EG) and 1% ammonium chloride (AC) for 28 days and was confirmed by Color Doppler ultrasound imaging. The rats in different experimental groups were then intragastrically given petroleum ether extract (PEE), N-butanol extract (NBE), aqueous extract (AqE) of UDH, Jieshitong (positive control drug), and saline, respectively. Treatment with NBE significantly reduced the elevated levels of urinary calcium, uric acid, phosphate, as well as increased urinary output. Accordingly, the increased calcium, oxalate levels and the number of calcium oxalate crystals deposits were remarkably reverted in the renal tissue of NBE-treated rats. In addition, NBE also prevented the impairment of renal function to decrease the contents of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Taken together, these data suggest that NBE of UDH has a beneficial effect on calcium oxalate urinary stones in rats by flushing the stones out and protecting renal function.

Urtica dioica-Derived Phytochemicals for Pharmacological and Therapeutic Applications

“…Indeed, its aerial part (methanol extract) also exerts antiurolithiatic potential can suppress the increased levels of urinary calcium and creatinine while significantly reducing the renal deposition of calcium and oxalate. U. dentata (n-butanol extract) also exert antiurolithiatic activity, prevent the deposition of calcium oxalate, and protect renal tissue from injury produced by kidney calculi (rat model) ( Table 13 ) [ 112 , 124 ].…”

A New Perspective of Gallic Acid on Calcium Oxalate Nucleation

“…Nowadays, the effective treatment for nephrolithiasis is a minimally invasive treatment, including ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy and shock wave lithotripsy . To improve the success of surgery and relieve postoperative symptoms, lithotripsy is usually combined with drug treatments. − Potassium citrate is often recommended as the therapeutic drug, , whereas many traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are clinically used as drugs for kidney stones in old ancient China. − ,− …”

Inhibitory effect of an aqueous extract of Radix Paeoniae Alba on calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in a rat model

“…Xiang et al. 21 found that an N-butanol extract of Urtica dentata hand prevented CaOx deposition and protected renal tissue in a rat nephrolithiasis model. These effects possibly resulted from a combination of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the extract in combination with its urination-promoting action.…”